Too many of us are giving new grads the same outdated, unhelpful job search advice

Before
you start dishing out advice, consider the fact that times have
dramatically changed.COD
Newsroom/Flickr

If you find yourself in conversation with a new college grad this
spring, you may be tempted to share some pearls of job search
wisdom.

After years in the workforce, you may think you know what it
takes to get hired. But, before you start dishing out advice,
consider the fact that times have dramatically changed.

When it comes to landing that first job out college, what worked
20, 10, five, or even two years ago, doesn't work today.

In job search, more is not better

While there's plenty of bad job search
advice out there, telling new grads to apply to as many jobs
as possible is the worst of the worst.

You may think quantity is key, but studies show only 3% of
applicants to online job postings get contacted for an
interview. Spending hours filling out online applications without
cardinal knowledge of the company and being referred in is a
waste of time.

Moreover, the lack of a response to all this useless activity
creates a crisis of confidence in the new grad that can make it
even harder for them to find a job. They already have to deal
with the sobering reality the degree they worked so hard to get
(and, likely went into debt to earn), doesn't mean anything
to employers today.

So, failing at job search only serves to set them back mentally
in their quest for employment.

To be lucky in job search today, this is what's
needed

School teaches students everything except how to get the job. So,
while recent grads may be thinking their studying days are over.
The truth is, those that get jobs quickly and easily are the ones
that study up on, "disruptive job search.". It's
the proactive approach required today to stand out from the 3
million other recent college grads so they can land a job.

The more they understand how to A) target companies that hire
their skills sets, and B) learn how to research the company so
they can network their way in and skip the online application
black hole, the faster they will get a job.

As professionals, our network is our net worth. As a new grad,
that net worth is pretty low. As a result, they have to learn how
to build a job search strategy that will get them connected to
the right people.

Want to really help a new grad? Set them up on an 'info
interview'

Instead of giving advice, why not tap into your network's net
worth and offer them an introduction to someone in the industry
or career they are interested in? Info
interviews aren't job interviews, they're opportunities for
new grads to get insider information that can help them improve
how they present themselves to potential employers. Helping a new
grad feel more confident and excited about the working world is
one of the best things you can give them.

Remember, there was a time when you had no experience or job
prospects too. Giving a new grad the chance to learn and grow will not
improve their confidence, they'll also always be reminded of the
positive impact you had on their career.

You never know. Someday, the tables could turn and they could
help you get a job!